As the year 2020 draws to a close we can all agree that it has been a year like we’ve never experienced before! The Coronavirus pandemic has dominated the lives of every single human being on the planet. Virtually every aspect of our lives has been affected, we can never take anything for granted again.
At a time like this I do not believe that it would be appropriate for me to re hash the nuts and bolts of practice protocols, portals and policies, heaven knows I’ve published enough of these updates over the last 6 months. Instead, I would very much like to address the overwhelming sense of gratitude I have at this moment.
I am extremely grateful for the fact that my team and the patients we have treated since the end of lockdown 1 have remained healthy. In June, we didn’t have clear, decisive guidelines as to what was considered safe in order to provide proper dental care for our patients while keeping ourselves safe, simply because this virus was so new. The fact that we have remained healthy throughout is due in large part to our rigorous infection control policies which we have stuck to religiously.
I am grateful that our profession, our sector of the economy, has not been too adversely affected by the pandemic. Lockdown 1 was extremely damaging as we were forced to close completely. However, we have come back fighting! My deepest sympathies go out to those whose livelihoods depend on hospitality, travel and entertainment to name but a few. I am very appreciative of the fact that we are still fully operational and I am determined to see to it that this will continue.
I am very grateful to my team here at Cornerways. Every one of them, nurses, hygienists, receptionists and associates have risen to the challenge placed before us by the pandemic. All of them have gone above and beyond the call of duty to see to it that the practice continues to operate as close to normality as possible in the most difficult of circumstances. The longer hours, the added PPE, the additional work load, the change to operating procedures has led to many heated exchanges. However, we’re still in one piece and even more determined to do even better in future.
I am grateful to our scientists who have worked tirelessly to develop vaccines which have the potential to bring an end to this pandemic so that we may begin to resume our lives as normal again. The United Kingdom was the first country in the world to approve the use of the first vaccine and Canada and the United States have since given their approval as well. The vaccination program will be a complicated one and we’re only likely to see the effect on the population towards the end of next year. But this is the feint light at the end of the long dark tunnel. This light will become brighter and brighter as the months go by.
Last and by no means least, I am grateful to you, our patients. Thank you all for your patience, understanding, co-operation, compliance and sympathy during the extremely difficult last few months. I would like to extend a special thank you to those of you who have had to tackle the new online forms. We do realise that there have been issues but we are working on a solution. Thank you too for the encouragement, the gratitude and good wishes many of you have expressed for the care you have received from us. It means an awful lot to receive such feedback.
NO FEE INCREASE
There will not be a fee increase next year! Due to the ever-changing situation, we have decided this would not be an appropriate time to increase our fees.
Those patients on our dental plan will also see no changes to their monthly contributions.
Our infection control levy will also remain at £5.00 for non aerosol generating procedures and £9.00 for aerosol generating procedures for all patients and applies per appointment. These amounts are very reasonable compared to many other dental practices in our area.
CHRISTMAS CLOSURES
Cornerways will be closed after Friday 18 December 2020 and will re-open on
7 January 2021. Should you require emergency dental treatment during this time, an emergency contact number will be on the answer phone. This service is strictly for emergencies only. Alternatively, you could contact the Emergency Dental Service on 01903 230364.
PERSONAL
Jenny has fully recovered from her full knee replacement surgery in November last year and has returned to golf with renewed enthusiasm. Special mention must be made here about the orthopaedic unit at the Horder Centre in Crowborough, they were fantastic!
Our daughter, Danielle, has taken on some contracting work with Abbott Laboratories to run in conjunction with her oriental sauce business. She still cooks, bottles and sells her own brand of sauces under the name of “Happy Eating House”. She currently sells her sauces mainly at Victoria Market in London but these are also available to buy on line.
Our son, Jason, has now completed his Masters degree in Physiotherapy at
St. George’s in London. He is currently working in the musculo-skeletal unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath. Incidentally, I am very grateful that he received his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine last week and will receive his booster before the end of the year.
We’d like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and all the very best for a safe and healthy 2021.
Thank you for your continued support.
Brian Hong